Opinion: 6 best of 2015 you should know for 2016.

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Carla Pontes is with us since day one. From a catwalk sample designer to a worldwide brand, we have a special care about this brand. Orbit is Carla Pontes 6th collection and the one that had the fastest acceptance by the public.Normally we have to wait for the right person for the right piece, but with Orbit Carla finally reached not the individual but all the small niche of design consumers. Orbit Oversized Overcoat is that special coat, warm, cosy, ideal to wrap in a cold day or to be open and leave it with is natural wave of the jacquard wool. A beautiful piece in an amazing collection.Besides all, we still sell pieces from Carla´s previous collections. The brand is producing new products every year, but the ones they had made are all ageless.

Golden Tubes Coat is a symbolic piece in our product selection. It is the most expensive piece we have in store. From Cristina Real Fall Winter 15´16 collection, it represents detail, timelessness and exclusivity.It is a heavy coat, with golden brass tubes hand embroidered one by one. It took time to be built.A timeless piece that can be used daily by someone who consider the power this coat could transmit to its own identity.  An exclusive piece, as all of Cristina Real´s, to be used by a single person that believes that Golden Tubes Coat was made to her.

We have six Susana Bettencourt different collections in store. Surely we are not a museum but we like to tell ´design´ stories. Susana´s story is told by her collections.It´s all about continuity and coherence. When someone in our store finds a beautiful Susana´s piece, immediately identifies these other ones as from the same brand. The jacquards, the colours, the shapes. All in Susana Bettencourt´s work is a continue path adding new items to the process of deconstructing nature and balancing it with between the digital and technological and the manual labour. To symbolize 2015 we choose Knitted Jacquard Collar as an example of the warm and comfortable feeling that Susana Bettencourt´s pieces transmits. In the first day of August 2015, in a very hot day, we sold a winter collar.

scar-id store selection of products in normally mainly about unique pieces, limited editions and small collections. It is not the case of this Porcelain Lemon.Margarida Gorgulho was one of the first brands we select. We love ceramics and Margarida´s work have two very different types. Plain bowls, white and pure on the base with a punch of colour in the interior,  and the fruits. Porcelain Lemon is really a best seller, just a small porcelain piece, made from a real lemon cast, white and textured outside, with a smooth light yellow  touch inside . We have pomegranates and melons, but is the Lemon that everybody wants because of that extra surprise of colour.

Wek is one of the brands that started with us. Beautiful and simple plastic necklaces we helped to grow and delivered worldwide. Contemporary jewellery made with coloured vineyards wire and 3d printed locks. The ideal balance between a traditional material out of the context, and a new technology that gradually is entering our world. 71 Bold Necklace is our favourite. Actually, it makes part of Silvia´s daily uniform of accessories. Black lock and black wire, just taking advantage of the intricate design to add that differential detail on a plain and monochromatic look.

Long Painted Dress is as an example of the success of the SS15 mariaDovale collection. mariaDovale was a big surprise. Another out of the spotlight brand, that doesn´t presents its collections on the catwalk. The 3 sisters’ brand works between clothing and jewellery. Priory was about unique pieces, but quickly we understand that the collection had to be reproduced due to the number of costumer requests. Always keeping in mind that painting detail in every clothing piece mariaDovale had created a mini winter collection and is always adding new jewellery items to our selection of products.

Media: scar-id at Tonic Magazine

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SCAR – ID IS A STORE THAT ISN’T A STORE. IT’S BETTER DESCRIBED AS A VISION OF WHAT A STORE COULD BE IN THE FUTURE. WE CAUGHT UP WITH ONE OF its FOUNDERS ANDRE RAMOS TO FIND OUT WHAT THIS MEANS, AND WHAT KIND OF CHANGES HE WANTS FOR THE INDEPENDENT DESIGNERS OF THE FUTURE.

How would you describe scar-id. What is it?

scar-id store is an independent design store. We’re Porto based but worldwide oriented and we sell and communicate a selection of products from emerging creators and new brands, from fashion, accessories, furniture and product design. scar-id store is a space for those who understand that design plays a differential part in the construction of its own identity.It’s also an online store but, more than a store, scar-id is a design lab, an architecture and interior design office, and a photography studio.

Who was involved in setting it up?

scar-id store is a project developed between me (Andre Ramos) and my partner Silvia Pinto Costa. 

How did the two of you meet?

Silvia and I have known each other for a long time. We are partners in life and work, and for that reason we need to separate quite well what is our public life and our private life. 

Why is scar-id called scar-id? 

SC are the initials for Sílvia (Pinto) Costa and AR are my ones. We put them together and scar sounded like a good concept: to leave a scar after the work is done. The kind of work we were interested in was about identity and design – this is where the i and the d came from. So scar-id became our brand´s name. 

What was it that gave you the idea for scar-id?

Since we share our life we are constantly talking and sharing our ideas about the world. The idea for scar-id came from our traveling. Whenever we travelled we searched for local stores in order to connect with the urban contemporary culture of the city. We understood that a store should not be only a local trade, but a space that could represent contemporary culture.We realised that it should be an interesting thing to start working with independent young designers and support them. They normally don´t have space and opportunities to develop their work, so, why not? And after a few months scar-id was born. 

Do you come from a creative background yourselves? 

I´m an architect, so I understand quite well the creative world. But at the same time, my background as an architect gave me an alternative position to face some important decisions from in design matters.Silvia studied fine arts, and she was working as a fashion and product photographer before we established scar-id. The relation of the two areas gave her a new perspective connecting both creative process and product in order to understand both sides – creator and consumer.With backgrounds far from management and trade, we think are bringing some new elements to the table. Everyday we learn something new and we develop a new way to solve a problem. 

Apart from a store and a gallery, scar-id is a space for designers to communicate through. What does this mean for designers?

What we just do is to create professional friendships with all the designers we work with. They know they have at scar-id a space, and people, that can support them at any level in their creative process. They do not work physically in scar-id spaces, but here we discuss ideas and solutions for their work. 

How do you find the people whose work you exhibit? Or do they find you?

One of our daily jobs or routines is to search for creativity, products, persons, brands, ideas, trends, materials or projects…so we inevitably find good products or brands that we would love to talk about.The next step is to find the person behind what we find and seduce them in to work with us. We explain to them who we are, how we work, our ideas to communicate and sell their brands. If we like each other we can start a professional friendship because any other way it won’t work. 

What kind of designers or brands do you tend to go for?

All the brands we select have a common line. They have to be cool people doing creative things; always trying to innovate somehow, but at the same time doing it with good materials, with an impeccable finish, and creating ageless pieces with a global vision.scar-id store is basically a lifestyle brand, where the costumer can find everything that could help him in his identity. So we have to choose carefully all the products in order to create a coherent image to the client.

You also have a studio space too? Called -1? What is the -1 studio?

-1 is our 100 sq.m. basement space. The idea is to have an empty space to become what we need it to be. It could be anything from our meeting space to another part of the store. Last week we covered the space with black fabric and we showcased a video-installation about a fashion product there. Next month we will host a design exhibition during the ´experimenta design´ event. It’s also normally our working space for our parallel projects and our photography studio.Other people use it too though. Sometimes we have private parties hosted there, at other times someone is there sewing some leather bags. If you have a good project to work on and need a space in Porto, call us. 

Why is it important?

scar-id is mainly about a store, so of course the commercial part is the most important one. Our -1 is the other side – where we can do the others things we like. As an empty space it can be whatever we want it to be, so it´s always about the next thing. The -1 s allows us to dream, search, project and evolve. As long as we have our -1, we can be always working on our next step. 

Do you have plans to set up more places like scar-id?

We dream a lot. With our art and architecture backgrounds we are driven to be constantly thinking of new worlds and new futures, and developing ways to make them a reality. We don´t know if we will be in another physical space in the future or just online. It could be with curated products worldwide in other stores. We just know we want to continue to evolve this scar-id project, working with identity through design. 

What do you do to support your designers? Mentoring? Providing space to work? Promotion and marketing help?

We like to be their professional friends. We are always here to take their calls and to meet with them to talk about everything they need. It could be about sales, brand advice, legal advice, product development, communication, representation. It´s all about trust and respect. We respect them and their work and they know we will do all we can to develop their brands in this difficult phase or their career. 

What are the main issues facing independent designers?

One issue is about how we consume: we have to find a good way to educate consumers that independent design could be as ´good´ as the one from the major brands.The second big issue is that art, design or architecture schools just prepare the students to face life either as employees or geniuses. There is no middle ground. If you do a good work, someone will show up and take you to the top. If not, you just can work for someone else. But the real world is not really as simple as this.This means that independent designers aren’t taught about launching themselves as a business. They channel all their focus and money into research and product development and forget about branding, marketing, communication or sales. And there is the moment we show up. 

Why are independent designers so important?

Young independent designers and thinkers, have certain freshness of ideas; without barriers or pre-concepts. This specific will to change and intervene is crucial to the world’s evolution. When people became less independent and less young, their work becomes more attached to the world we already know and it is harder to think about how to improve and change it. 

How can the industry help them?

The industry can’t help. The industry as it is at the moment is part of the system and doesn´t want to be changed. But the independent designers could help to change the industry and change it step by step. Then maybe the industry could start to provide independent designers with the tools, materials and qualified labour necessary to them to compete with the established brands. 

Where do you see scar-id in the future?  

In the future, as we do now, we don´t see the concept of a store like a trade place. We see a store like a place for contemporary culture, maybe as the extension of the role played by museums and libraries. These are the places where people can interact with culture, and in our case, could actually take the culture home and wear it.The store should be also a place of communication, both online and offline. A consumer could found a product online, research everything about it and then could purchase it offline. In the same way, the consumer could do the opposite, discover a product physically, think about it, and then choose to buy online. Online and offline should become part of the same reality.If this happens we think we could play an important role in supporting independent designers. No client will then have to go to some hidden atelier or messy workshop to search for a product they found online. There will be a set prepared to showcase a product and sell it as part of a specific contemporary culture concept.The future is all about setting scar-id up as a lifestyle brand, with a bigger percentage of its own production in partnership with those who helped scar-id to grow. We’d like to just keep going adding new layers here in Porto, online, and physically in other global cities, as a store, a service and generally as an idea.

Words by Jenni Waugh at Tonic Magazine

one year b.day

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*On all garments and a few other selected pieces, excluding promotions already in action.

At scar-id.com use the voucher code XLDRQAG1 before checkout online. code available for 48 hours, from saturday morning to sunday midnight.

In Rua do Rosário store, during saturday’s opening hours.

thank you and enjoy. 

one year . meet the designers: Ana Coelho

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Who are you?

I’m an architect, always working on many satellite projects and ideas.

What is your relation with scar-id store?

scar-id store displays some of my designs that somehow feature the fashion and technology needs.

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

I really love the WEK necklaces!

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

Portugal has so many amazing handcrafters and a high skilled industry that should be continuously explored by national and international designers.

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

So many places, but if I have to choose only one… the riverfront, right where the river ends and the ocean starts. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

Portuguese traditional materials, colours and ancient techniques of making goods. Skilled, beautiful and sustainable at once.

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I live in a quite area between Serralves Museum and the Porto city park. Currently, I work in Matosinhos, a smaller city right in the border of Porto, home of fisherman and of an amazing choice of good food, both in the market and on countless small restaurants. 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

I’m only addicted to pinterest, where I go daily for pure picture consumption. 

What do you think about the future?

From now on, people are aware of the real need to combine nature and technology, global knowledge with local action. Every step towards the future should lead us on sustainability and kindness direction. 

And your own future?

Hopefully, in ten years I will be doing the same as now: working in several scales with the same joy and love: from the design of a big factory to the design of a small object.

What is in your desktop at the moment?

I’m working on a full rehabilitation of a typical Porto house from the XIX century, on a big factory building, on a teenager bedroom, on a renovation of a family house. Different scales that infect each other with its character.

And about scar-id store?

scar-id is an unmatched project in Porto, displaying the boldest selection of young portuguese contemporary designers.

one year . meet the designers: Grafolita

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Who are you?

I´m Catarina Vaz, designer and creator of grafolita®. Grafolita® is a brand  of colourful notebooks, handmade with traditional binding and printing techniques, that reflects my taste by design and by daily, simple, handy and well-made objects. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

We´ve been partners since day one and it´s been a privilege grafolita® been chosen to make part of this project from the beginning. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

I really like Maria and Nel from DAM. Beside pretty, they are funny pieces. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

It´s good to see the emergence of so many projects, some of them already conquered international markets. I think this economic crises make us understand that is possible to create our own projects and accept the inherent problems as something natural, part of the growing process of any idea.

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Porto´s downtown, where still survive a few traditional streets with directional stores where we can find everything. When I visit Porto, I delight myself walking through those streets.  

A few things that are inspiring you?

Travel, travel, travel, and… traditional arts and Modernism. My first grafolita´s notebook was inspired in a travel to the East. I use traditional binding and printing techniques. Grafolita´s language is minimal, colourful but at the same time, sober. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

Grafolita® is not my principal occupation and I work mainly outside. But nights and weekends are for this project, so when I recently changed apartment it was a condition to have an exclusive space for grafolita®. Now I have more space and a lot of light. I live in Lisbon city centre, but I hear the church bell every hour and I have an abandoned garden view and two lemon trees! I couldn’t be happier! 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

Not one, several. But Twitter is always the starting point. 

Can you tell us something that you haven´t had the opportunity to tell in an interview?

Why the name Grafolita? Because “Grafolito” is the name written in my prelo (typographic machine). I think it was the name of a company that deals with graphic material and machinery. So, I became Grafolita. 

What do you think about the future?

What I think or desire? The way we saw the future is always a projection of our ideas, temper or lifestyle. I would say that people are more aware and demanding in decisions of consume, but at the same time, more limited in their choices.Bling consumerism, ignoring its origin, doesn´t makes sense anymore.Consumers should always know what they are buying. The design role will, more than ever, have a vital importance and should be made for the persons. 

And your own future?

I see myself exclusively dedicated to my own projects, not necessarily just grafolita®. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

In my home I don´t work so often with the computer, that is normally at a corner. On table top are always papers, cards, finished notebooks, half-way notebooks.At this moment I have also a few Christmas gifts and a cat. There is always a cat to make me company. 

And about scar-id store?

scar-id gave the opportunity to new creators see their work noted, recognized and above all purchased by the public. It´s an inspiration!.. I wish see you achive many more years.

one year . meet the designers: Diana Matias

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Who are you?

I’m Diana Matias and I’m fashion designer. I presented my collections at Bloom, Portugal Fashion since the beginning until the last season of 2013. I decided to leave my brand in standby to move to London and looking for new experiences. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

All my pieces scar-id are exclusives. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

My favourite piece in scar-id store is a long black coat with two fabrics from my FW 13-14 collection. It’s already sold out!

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

In Portugal there is a new generation really interesting and creative, with potential. Unfortunately, Portugal wasn’t educated to consume design and hasn’t also great financial support. With time we get there… 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Casa e Museu de Serralves.

A few things that are inspiring you?

Pictures, music, videos, moments, movies, persons, textures. Everything is a possible inspiration. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I’m moving to London now and I’m in love! It’s a cool and exciting city! We want to do more and more. Everything happen so fast! At the moment I’m doing an internship with Marques’Almeida. It’s been an amazing experience.

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

I see a lot of online magazines.

What do you think about the future?I

hope to absorb the most possible on my new experience, meeting people, travelling… Work hard. Enjoy the process. Enjoy myself.In the future, I want to get back to my brand and restart with new ideas and plans. Restructure. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

I have my moodboard and my dress sketches for my wedding! It’s in the next year, 2015.Fabrics, papers, images everywhere!  

And about scar-id store?

It’s a very interesting conceptual space with a lot of designers. This kind of shops in the city are really good for us because they can represent us. It’s a perfect place for customers who looking for design and exclusivity.You are a sweet partners! 

one year . meet the designers: Ana Vicente

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Who are you?

I’m Ana Vicente, I’m 26 and I’m a Fashion Designer and illustrator. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

It’s a professional one. It’s also a relation of gratitude because scar-id store gave me the biggest opportunity so far. Today, I have my brand represented in the store and online. This collection, the first one, represents the change, the mutation of life and the reflection of our past and present. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

Wool Sweater from present collection of Carlos Couto. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think it’s ok. A lot of people talk about this topic, but I think that people usually only see the bad of everything. I think that Portuguese design in general is start to reborn in a new and different way. Now we only have to think in different and new ways that can amazing people, and understands that design must play other games, games that are changing all the time. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

terryrichardson.tumblr.com

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I live in Barcelos because it’s a strong place to work in fashion industry. I work for a company doing prints and all over patterns. It’s an amazing job, full of news every single day, and I believe that will make me a better designer and illustrator. 

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

trendland.net

What do you think about the future?

I’m not a negative person, and I think that the most important thing to learn is the capability of change. The capability of embrace a new reality with an open heart. If you are able to do that, the only future you will have is happiness. 

And your own future?

I want to be more Creative, more addicted and more specialist to the graphic area of fashion. I believe I found my way, and that´s a very good thing.

What is in your desktop at the moment?

Kids clothes…a lot of them! 

And about scar-id store?

Sílvia and André are very kind people. And with my trouble and unlinear contact with them, they are the most patient people!About the store I only can say: Thank you so much for the opportunity to be part of this family. It’s a privilege!

meet-the-designers-ricardo-andrez

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Ricardo Andrez SCAR-ID

Who are you?R

icardo; Masculine; Designer; Porto; Portugal; no make-up; hair in the wind. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

The present collection at scar-id is called Faktura and is based on russian graphics of the constructivist movement. The pieces are structured and oversized through tufted. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

The Blue Sweater from the previous collection, 300% representative of the brand.It was such a sold out success, that we decided to produce it again for this season. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think we are in a flourishing time for design, there are more and more good projects waiting for the right structure for commercialization an evolution.

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

The Porto University Natural History Museum, where I get the privilege of shooting my SS12 collection lookbook.

6 Dec0

one year . meet the designers: Ricardo Andrez

Who are you?

Ricardo; Masculine; Designer; Porto; Portugal; no make-up; hair in the wind. 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

The present collection at scar-id is called Faktura and is based on russian graphics of the constructivist movement. The pieces are structured and oversized through tufted. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

The Blue Sweater from the previous collection, 300% representative of the brand.It was such a sold out success, that we decided to produce it again for this season. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

I think we are in a flourishing time for design, there are more and more good projects waiting for the right structure for commercialization an evolution. 

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

The Porto University Natural History Museum, where I get the privilege of shooting my SS12 collection lookbook.

A few things that are inspiring you?

People I met will be always the biggest source of inspiration! 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

The place of my studio was an old trimmings factory and now there is a very interesting fusion. In the same space we find a fashion photographer, a models agency and a fashion producer… it´s a privilege and a stimulus being daily surrounded from these great fashion professionals.

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

Youtube. It has everything, since the foolish and relaxed to the more directional technical information!  

What do you think about the future?

Keep growing as a person and professional and be always surrounded by good energies/persons. 

And your own future?

I can´t plan more than next semester! 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

I´m developing my new FW15 collection, and simultaneously working in more specific projects for music bands or uniforms for example. 

And about scar-id store?A unique and peculiar window for the Portuguese design, Portuguese spoken.

one year . meet the designers: Daniela Barros

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Who are you?

I’m Daniela Barros, born at Oporto City. I love nature and human nature and questions. I’m a fashion designer 

What is your relation with scar-id store?

My work is exposed at scar-id store. The garments are clean and minimal, structured, and coexist among different art work and designers represented in store. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

Tricky question! If I choose one of my, I choose the Neoprene Sweater because of the structure and the touch of the garment. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

There is a new generation that pulls up nowadays the Portuguese design in all areas, with determination to do new things and to export our ideas. 

What is your favourite Place at city of Porto?

Palácio de Cristal. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

Everything, movies, people, moments, feelings, culture, the city. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I live and work near Oporto city, a place more bucolic surrounded by nature. 

What do you think about the future?

Surrounded by work.See my work solid and more structured. 

What is in your desktop at the moment?

My new collection aw15-16 surrounded by pens, pencils, papers and fabrics. 

And about scar-id store?

scar-id store grow up as Portuguese design scene.  I think that in the future will be a cult store.

one year . meet the designers: Cristina Real

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Who are you?

Who am I? Well, it’s complicated to talk about me. I love what I do, I love my profession and that keeps me motivated to fight every day to continue this project.  

What is your relation with scar-id store?

My relationship with scar-id is recent, it’s a commercial relation. Was the first shop that I trust to expose my pieces and I felt a connection between the store and the concept.The collection is called Intermission.The concept comes from an intersection of ideas, but there is no specific initial shape since it does not form itself visually, only its beginning. This collection builds itself from straight lines that shape themselves through various dashed lines, colours and materials until they reach their final shape.Inspiration comes from the emptiness, from an empty mind where the dot signals the initial phase and the line gives it expression. The piece is like a “tabula rasa” that receives elements and ideas until it has a life of its own life. Colour and material are the key elements of the collection, the way garments are cut create a dynamics with the several textures of materials and colours.The raw materials consist of natural materials such as Wool, Fur, Organza, Napa, Leather, Mesh and Acrylic.Base colours are black, navy blue and grey and secondary colours are dark beige, pearl beige and old pink. 

What is your favourite piece at scar-id store?

One of my favourite pieces in the store is the Grey Pleated Skirt of the FW14´15 collection. It’s so important because from that skirt all the collection has been developed. 

What do you think about the Portuguese design scene?

The Fashion scene in Portugal is growing, the national market is becoming more and more competitive. We have the arise of new talents representing the best made in Portugal and spreading the country’s name around the world. 

What is your favourite place at city of Oporto?

My favourite place in Oporto is the lovely Ribeira, for me is one of the most beautiful views in our country. 

A few things that are inspiring you?

I don’t have any limit for inspiration. Inspiration for me it’s free, I get inspiration of all surround me, people, objects with a history, culture, sounds, memories. Everything can combine and became one. 

Why do you live (work) where you live (work)?

I work a room in my attic. It’s a clean and free space to adapt for any inspiration, in my hall I have a plenty of images for my ideas and to my imagination flow.  

Is there any website you are daily addicted to?

I don’t have any favourite website.  I have a very particular taste and it’s necessary to search in different websites or books… internet not always have the information we need and it’s like back to basics.  

Can you tell us something that you haven´t had the opportunity to tell in an interview?

As a young designer with a brand in rise, we need investment in Portuguese Fashion. We need more financial support, more partnership with the companies because these initiatives will not just benefit us, fashions designers to become successful, but the national economy too.  

What do you think about the future?

In future, I want every Portuguese using more national products and brands, to show the world we support our things and we are proud of them. 

And your own future?

It’s complicate talk about my future because everything just pass so fast and the world turn around in speed of light, therefore I need to work hard, give everything and take all the opportunities to have my name written in fashion history.  

What is in your desktop at the moment?

Every day is different, different things happen and that give me something new and something distinct is added, this diversity enriches me as a person and as a designer.  

And about scar-id store?

We are in hard times and it’s difficult be successful and is always good see the new generation of designers being support by stores like scar-Id.All I can desire is the great achievements for scar-Id.